The block party that used to pack West Chicago Avenue with thousands of neighbors, live bands, and the smell of grilled brats is coming back Sunday, Aug. 9, after two years off the calendar.
Old Naperville Day has a new name. DuPage PADS, the county's largest homeless services provider, is hosting the event as Naperville Neighborly Day, a free, all-ages block party running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on West Chicago Avenue between Washington Street and Main Street. Downtown construction kept the festival dark in 2024 and 2025, according to Patch and the DuPage PADS event page.
What's on the lineup
Four bands will play throughout the day:
- 11 a.m. — School of Rock Naperville (student performers from the local music school)
- 1 p.m. — Tres Moustache, a self-described "greatest acoustic trio in the DuPage River Valley area"
- 3 p.m. — OMT, a Naperville-based rock, indie, and country band that regularly plays Ribfest and Last Fling
- 5:15 p.m. — Headliner to be announced (check dupagepads.org for updates)
Food and drink vendors include Kreger's Brat & Sausage, Kona Ice, Jon's Ribs, Darkhorse Grill & Catering, and The Lantern, the West Chicago Avenue tavern whose 50th anniversary celebration in 2016 launched the original event.
A decade of block-party history
The Lantern sponsored the first Old Naperville Day in 2016, and then-Mayor Steve Chirco designated the third Sunday in August as the event's official date, according to Patch. The party drew around 4,000 people in 2019, was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19, and returned in 2022.
When the event came back from its pandemic hiatus that year, organizers described it as a neighborhood-friendly, family-first gathering distinct from larger summer festivals like Last Fling. DuPage PADS announced the 2026 comeback on X on July 21, calling it "a family-friendly event bringing the community together."
Where the money goes
Proceeds benefit DuPage PADS, founded in 1985 and DuPage County's largest provider of shelter and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. The organization operates a 130-unit Interim Housing Center in Downers Grove and serves about 300 people a night, according to the Chicago Tribune. Approximately 33% of DuPage County's homeless population are children, per DuPage PADS data.
Chad Pedigo, vice president of development at DuPage PADS, has organized the block party since its early years.
What families should know
Admission is free. No registration is required. Accessibility details, including wheelchair and stroller access on the blocked-off street, have not been published; families with questions can contact DuPage PADS at dupagepads.org. Downtown Naperville has several public parking garages; a map is available at naperville.il.us. No event-specific parking information has been announced.
This week in Naperville
- Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. — Naperville Neighborly Day, W. Chicago Avenue between Washington Street and Main Street. Free. Live music, local food vendors, proceeds benefit DuPage PADS. Headliner TBA at dupagepads.org.
